Swimming assistance appratus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a swimming assistance apparatus, which is worn on a user&#39;s both feet to provide the user with buoyancy, such that the user can float on water and swim in a good swimming style while repeatedly moving the waist from side to side like a fish, thereby reinforcing the user&#39;s waist muscles. Persons who have knee joint arthralgia or backache or persons who have disability in the lower body can use the swimming assistance apparatus for medical purposes, such as pain relief or treatment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Patent Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/999,053, filed on Aug. 20, 2020, which is aContinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/289,546,filed on Feb. 28, 2019, now abandoned, which is a Continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/457,902, filed onMar. 13, 2017, now abandoned, which is a Continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/436,298, filed on Apr. 16, 2015, nowabandoned, which is a National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/KR2014/005833, filed on Jul. 1, 2014,which claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority toKorean Patent Application Nos. 10-2014-0031825, filed on Mar. 18, 2014and 10-2013-0078586, filed on Jul. 4, 2013, the contents of which areall incorporated by references herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a swimming assistance apparatus. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a swimming assistanceapparatus which supplies buoyancy to a part of a user's body under waterto aid the user to correct a swimming posture or to concentrate onreinforcement of upper body muscles and waist muscles. Moreover, thepresent invention relates to a swimming assistance apparatus which canrelieve and treat symptoms, such as lumbar herniated intervertebral discor scoliosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swimming is one of whole body exercises to improve lung capacity orendurance and reinforce the whole body. Therefore, swimming is beingspotlighted as popular life sports all over the worlds, such as Korea,United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, China, and so on.

There are conventional swimming assistance apparatuses, such 20 as swimtubes, floats, boards, and the likes. The swim tube is formed in adoughnut shape. A user can wear the swim tube to surround the waist orto support the user's upper body by covering a part of the swim tubewith the hand. The float is formed in a ball which has a hand-grip. Theuser holds the hand-grip of the float to receive buoyancy. The board isformed in a plate type. The user holds the board to receive buoyancy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the conventional swimming assistance apparatuses, such as theswim tubes, the floats and the boards, have a disadvantage in that theuser has to hold them with the hand when the user swims. Therefore, theconventional swimming assistance apparatuses interrupt the user's armmovements. Accordingly, the user cannot take a perfect swimming posturein case that the user uses such swimming assistance apparatuses.

Moreover, the conventional swimming assistance apparatuses are easilyseparated from the user's hand, and hence, swimming beginners may letthe swimming assistance apparatus slip through the user's hand. Such anexperience may give evasion of swimming or resistance to swimming to theswimming beginner, and it may be trauma in the swimming beginner's headfor a long time.

Furthermore, the conventional swimming assistance apparatuses haveanother disadvantage in that the user has to always make muscle of thearm tense when using the swimming assistance apparatuses. So, the usertires easily and cannot gain confidence of swimming. Additionally,because muscles are tense, it is difficult to correct the swimmingposture smoothly.

In addition, the floats and the boards of the conventional swimmingassistance apparatuses has a disadvantage in that the user can trainonly whip kick, because the user moves forward by whip kick in a statewhere the user holds the float or the board with both hands and keepsthe user's arms and body straight.

Moreover, a vest type float of the conventional swimming assistanceapparatuses has a disadvantage in that there is a limit in swimmingstyles and it is difficult to take a swimming posture under water,because the user floats vertically under water by the vest type float.

Furthermore, swimming styles which can be carried out when the user usesthe conventional swimming assistance apparatuses are very limited. Ingeneral, when the user uses the conventional swimming assistanceapparatuses, the user can show just the swimming style to move the waistup and down. Such a swimming style increases backache of patients whosuffer from backache by lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.

Additionally, it is impossible for persons who have disability in thelower body, such as paraplegia, to do whip kick or move the waist up anddown while swimming, and the persons who have disability in the lowerbody go under water in a state where the legs are drifted open when theyenter the water. Therefore, the persons who have disability in the lowerbody cannot use the conventional swimming assistance apparatuses.

Not only the persons who have disability in the lower body but alsogeneral teenagers and adults with normal body functions, who havescoliosis generated when the persons study or work sitting in chairs fora long time, it is hard to correct the twisted pelvis or treat scoliosisthrough swimming.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solvethe above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts. It is anobject of the present invention to provide a swimming assistanceapparatus which is worn on a use's feet to make the user float on waterby buoyancy and to make the user swim in the swimming style like fishswimming to repeatedly move the waist from side to side, therebycorrecting the swimming posture or concentrating on reinforcement ofupper body muscles and waist muscles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a swimmingassistance apparatus which makes the user swim while moving the waistfrom side to side repeatedly, thereby relieving or treating pains ofpatients who suffer from knee joint pain or backache or persons who havedisability in the lower body.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a swimmingassistance apparatus. The swimming assistance apparatus includes a bodymade of a material which floats on water or formed in a hollow tube typewhich floats on water, a fitting hole formed in a hollow cylinder shapeand penetrating through the body to surround a part of a user's lowerbody, and a cut part formed in the wall of one side of the fitting holein such a way that a part of the user's lower body can be inserted intothe fitting hole. When the user swims in a state where the user's lowerbody is inserted into the fitting hole, the user's lower body floats onwater by buoyancy of the body.

Moreover, a part of the user's lower body inserted into the fitting holemay be the ankle or the calf.

Furthermore, the fitting hole may include a first fitting hole and asecond fitting hole configured in such a manner that the user can insertthe right and left legs into the first and second fitting holesrespectively, and the user's legs are collected and fixed by the firstand second fitting holes.

Additionally, the fitting hole may include a first fitting hole and asecond fitting hole configured in such a manner that the user can insertthe right and left legs into the first and second fitting holesrespectively. The body is configured to be divided between the first andsecond fitting holes. The swimming assistance apparatus further includesdetachable fixing means formed on each inner face of the divided body.The detachable fixing means is one of hood and loop fasteners, magnets,buttons, male and female coupling parts, hooks and zippers which canattach and detach the first and second fitting holes.

In addition, the cut part may be formed in the outer wall of the fittinghole in the longitudinal direction of the fitting hole to enable theuser to easily insert the user's lower body.

Moreover, the fitting hole may include a first fitting hole and a secondfitting hole configured in such a manner that the user can insert theright and left legs into the first and second fitting holesrespectively. The cut part may include at least one of a first cut partformed in once side wall of the first fitting hold and a second cut partformed in one of the second fitting hole. At least one among the firstand second cut parts may be formed in the upper side wall of the firstfitting hole and the second fitting hole to enable the user to easilyput the user's lower body thereon.

Furthermore, the fitting hole may include a first fitting hole and asecond fitting hole configured in such a manner that the user can insertthe right and left legs into the first and second fitting holesrespectively. The cut part may include first and second cut partsrespectively formed in the side walls of the first and second fittingholes. The first cut part is formed in the upper side wall of the firstfitting hole and the second cut part is formed in the lower side wall ofthe second fitting hole.

Additionally, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes aplurality of protrusion parts formed on the inner face of the fittinghole in the diameter direction and extend in the longitudinal directionof the fitting hole so as to provide the user's lower body with comfortand enhance fixation power of the user's lower body.

In addition, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes aplurality of protrusion parts formed on the inner face of the fittinghole in the diameter direction and are formed in a spherical shape so asto provide the user's lower body with comfort and enhance fixation powerof the user's lower body.

Moreover, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes a pluralityof protrusion parts formed on the inner face of the fitting hole in thediameter direction and extend spirally in the longitudinal direction ofthe fitting hole so as to provide the user's lower body with comfort andenhance fixation power of the user's lower body.

Furthermore, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes at leastone among: wings formed at both sides of the body in the longitudinaldirection and have a predetermined curvature at the front face, which isthe user's advancing direction, in order to reduce underwaterresistance, and at least one of fins which vertically protrude from theupper side and the lower side of the middle part of the body and have apredetermined curvature at the front face, which is the user's advancingdirection, in order to reduce underwater resistance, thereby offsettinga rotational force around the user's advancing direction.

Additionally, the body may be formed in a flat board type and thefitting hole may be formed to get in contact with one side of the body.The swimming assistance apparatus further includes wings formed at bothsides of the body in the longitudinal direction and have a predeterminedcurvature at the front face, which is the user's advancing direction, inorder to reduce underwater resistance.

In addition, the fitting hole may include a first fitting hole and asecond fitting hole configured in such a manner that the user can insertthe right and left legs into the first and second fitting holesrespectively. The swimming assistance apparatus further includes athrough hole formed in the body and penetrating through the inside ofthe body between the first fitting hole and the second fitting hole, soas to reduce underwater resistance generated in the user's advancingdirection.

Moreover, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes at leastone hand-grip depressed in one side of the body or penetrates throughthe body, such that the user can insert at least one finger into thehand-grip to grasp the body.

Furthermore, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes at leastone among: wings formed at both sides of the body in the longitudinaldirection and have a predetermined curvature at the front face, which isthe user's advancing direction, in order to reduce underwaterresistance, and at least one of fins which vertically protrude from theupper side and the lower side of the middle part of the body and have apredetermined curvature at the front face, which is the user's advancingdirection, in order to reduce underwater resistance, thereby offsettinga rotational force around the user's advancing direction. The swimmingassistance apparatus further includes at least one hand-grip depressedin one side of the wing or the fin or penetrates through the wing or thefin, such that the user can insert at least one finger into thehand-grip to grasp the body.

Additionally, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes a platetype partition wall formed inside the hollow body for maintaining theform of the body and relieving distortion of the body.

In addition, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes aplurality of plate type partition walls formed inside the hollow bodyfor maintaining the form of the body and relieving distortion of thebody. The plurality of partition walls cross each other.

Moreover, the swimming assistance apparatus further includes a pluralityof plate type partition walls formed inside the hollow body formaintaining the form of the body and relieving distortion of the body.The plurality of partition walls are connected with one another in ahoney comb shape.

Furthermore, the swimming assistance apparatus further includesseparation preventing means disposed at one side of the cut part toclose the cut part and prevents the inserted user's lower body frombeing separated from the cut part.

Additionally, the separation preventing means may be one of hook andloop fasteners, magnets, buttons, male and female coupling parts, hooksand zippers.

In addition, the fitting hole may include a first fitting hole and asecond fitting hole configured in such a manner that the user can insertthe right and left legs into the first and second fitting holesrespectively. The swimming assistance apparatus further includes adepressed part inwardly depressed to a specific depth between the firstfitting hole and the second fitting hole of the body, such that the userinserts and fixes a part of the user's lower body into the first fittinghole and the second fitting hole or compresses and fixes a part of theuser's lower body to the depressed part.

As described above, the swimming assistance apparatus according to theembodiments of the present invention has the following effects.

First, the swimming assistance apparatus according to the embodiments ofthe present invention makes the swimming beginners to concentrate on armmovements or the swimming style to move the waist from side to side.

Second, the swimming assistance apparatus according to the embodimentsof the present invention can relieve or treat pains of the patients whosuffer from knee joint pain or backache or the persons who havedisability in the lower body.

Third, the swimming assistance apparatus according to the embodiments ofthe present invention can give great help to rehabilitation and enhanceswimming skills by training upper body muscles and waist muscles becausethe user can move the waist from side to side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings attached to the description of the presentinvention are to illustrate embodiments of the present invention and fora more complete understanding of the detailed description and technicalidea of the present invention.

Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the present invention is not limited to the matters described orillustrated in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a swimming assistance apparatus accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a modification of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a first modification of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a second modification of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are side views and a plan view showing used states of theswimming assistance apparatus according to the second modification ofthe fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a modification of the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a modification of the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a first modification of the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a second modification of the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a first modification of the twelfth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a second modification of the twelfth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are a side view and a plan view showing a used state ofthe swimming assistance apparatus according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be now made in detail to the embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to the attached drawings. In the description ofthe present invention, when it is judged that detailed descriptions ofknown functions or structures related with the present invention maymake the essential points vague, the detailed descriptions of the knownfunctions or structures will be omitted.

Moreover, in the drawings, parts having similar functions and actionshave the same reference numerals. In the description of the presentinvention, to connect some part with another part means that some partis directly connected with another part and that some part is indirectlyconnected with another part through an element. Furthermore, unlessotherwise defined herein, to include a component does not mean that themortise lock excludes other component but means that the mortise lockcan include other components more.

Embodiment 1

In relation with the basic structure of a swimming assistance apparatus,the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according to afirst embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention may include a body 10, a fitting hole 20 and a cut part 30.

The body 10 may be made of a material which floats on water or be formedin a hollow tube type which floats on water. The material for the body10 may be a resin material, for instance, compressed polystyrene foam.The body 10 is basically, formed in a shape of an elliptic cylinder, andmay be formed in various shapes as described hereinafter.

The body 10 provides a user's lower body with buoyancy. Buoyancy of thebody 10 is determined by volume of the body 10 which is submerged inwater and density of the body 10. If volume of the body 10 submerged inwater is large and density of the body 10 is small, buoyancy becomesstronger.

The fitting hole 20 is formed in a hollow cylinder shape and penetratesthrough the body 10. Just one fitting hole 20 may be formed in such away that the user's both ankles are inserted and fixed into the fittinghole and are surrounded by the swimming assistance apparatus.Alternatively, two fitting holes 20 may be formed in such a way that theuser's right ankle and left ankle are respectively inserted and fixedinto the fitting holes 20 and are surrounded by the swimming assistanceapparatus. In a case that the two fitting holes 20 are formed, thefitting hole to which the left ankle is inserted and fixed is defined asa first fitting hole, and the fitting hole to which the right ankle isinserted and fixed is defined as a second fitting hole.

The fitting hole 20 may have different sizes according to the user'sbody conditions. For instance, the size of the fitting hole 30 is variedaccording to age or gender of the users.

The fitting hole 20 can collect the user's legs within a distance thatthe user does not feel inconvenience. That is, the first fitting holeand the second fitting hole may be formed to have a specific distancefrom each other. The user's legs are fixed by the fitting hole 20. Theuser who is fixed in legs can concentrate on the upper body's movementswhile swimming, reinforce upper body muscles and waist muscles, andespecially, show the swimming style to move the waist from side to side.Moreover, persons who have disability in the lower body can enjoyswimming. Furthermore, the problem that swimming beginners cannotconcentrate on the upper body posture because splashing water with thefeet, which is the swimming beginners' typical problem, can be solved.

The cut part 30 is formed at one side of the fitting hole 20 to make theuser's lower body be inserted into the fitting hole 20 easily.Preferably, the cut direction of the cut part 30 is formed in thelongitudinal direction of the fitting hole 20. The cut part 30 may beformed at both sides of the longitudinal direction of the body 10,namely, at upper and lower sides of the fitting hole 20.

The cut part 30 makes the user easily insert the legs into the fittinghole 20. Due to the cut part 30 formed in the longitudinal direction ofthe fitting hole 20 in the embodiment of the present invention, theuser's legs are not easily separated from each other under water, andthe user can take the legs out of the fitting hole 20 if the user putshis or her mind to it in an emergency situation.

Finally, the cut part 30 increases the utility of the swimmingassistance apparatus but decreases dangerousness. According to the firstembodiment of the present invention, the cut part 30 is formed at rightand left sides of the fitting hole 20. However, if the user does not tryto take the legs out of the fitting hole 20, the user's legs are notseparated from the fitting hole 20 because power is applied to theinside of both legs when the user is swimming.

The cut part 30 may be formed in at least one among the first fittinghole and the second fitting hole. That is, there is no need to form thecut part 30 in both fitting holes 20. Even though the cut part 30 isformed only in one fitting hole 20, the object of the present inventioncan be achieved.

In a case that the body 10 is made of a synthetic resin material withelasticity, the cut part 30 is widened when the user inserts the user'slower part into the fitting hole 20 and is returned to its initial widthwhen the user's lower part is completely inserted into the fitting hole20.

The swimming assistance apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention has not only the first embodiment but also othervarious embodiments which will be described later.

Embodiment 2

In connection with the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.2 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is anexploded view of a swimming assistance apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention may include a male and female coupling part 40, whichis detachable fixing means configured to divide the body 10 in half andseparate the fitting holed 20 from each other.

The swimming assistance apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention enhances convenience in wearing. The user wearsthe swimming assistance apparatus by each leg and inserts a malecoupling part 42 into the female coupling part 41. Moreover, a magnetmay be mounted on the male and female coupling part 40. Alternatively,instead of the male and female coupling part 40, as the detachablefixing means, hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, magnets, hooks,or zippers or combinations of the hook and loop fasteners, the snapfasteners, the magnets, the hooks and the zippers may be disposed on theinner faces of the divided body 10.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a modification of the second embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 4, the swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the modification of the second embodiment of the presentinvention is identical with the swimming assistance apparatus accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention in that the body isdivided in half. As the modification of the second embodiment, thedetachable fixing means configured in such a manner that the fittingholes 20 are separated from each other may be round magnets which arecoupled in male and female coupling.

Embodiment 3

In connection with the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention may include the cut part 30 formed at an upper side ofthe fitting hole 20.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, a lower sideof the fitting hole 20 comes into contact with the user's leg bybuoyancy of the body 10, such that the fitting hole is not easilyseparated from the user's leg under water. At the same time, when theuser lifts the leg upwardly from the fitting hole 20, the leg can beeasily separated from the fitting hole 20, and hence, the user canattach and detach the swimming assistance apparatus under an emergentsituation if the user puts the user's mind to it.

Embodiment 4

In connection with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.6 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention may include the cut parts 30 which are formed in thefirst fitting hole and the second fitting hole cornerwise. For instance,the cut part 30 is formed at an upper side of the first fitting hole,and the other cut part 30 is formed at a lower side of the secondfitting hole. Alternatively, the cut part 30 is formed at an upper sideof the first fitting hole, and the other cut part 30 is formed at aright or left side of the second fitting hole.

The swimming assistance apparatus according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention can provide various effects according to positionsof the cut parts 30. For instance, when the cut part 30 is formed at anupper side of the first fitting hole 20, because the lower side of thefitting hole 20 comes into contact with the user's leg under water bybuoyancy of the body 10, the swimming assistance apparatus is not easilyseparated from the user's leg under water but the user can easily takethe legs from the fitting holes 20 by lifting the legs upwardly from thefitting holes 20, and hence, the user can attach and detach the swimmingassistance apparatus under an emergent situation if the user puts theuser's mind to it.

Embodiment 5

In connection with the fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention may include a depressed part 50 which is transverselydepressed in the middle of the body 10. The depressed part 50 may beformed from the upper side to the lower side of the body 10 or from thelower side to the upper side of the body 10. Moreover, the depressedpart 50 may be formed from the upper and lower sides toward the insideof the body 10. Furthermore, the depressed part 50 may be formedinwardly from the back and forth direction.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, thedepressed part 50 decreases manufacturing costs of the swimmingassistance apparatus. Additionally, because a vertical cross-sectionarea of the body 10 is decreased, underwater resistance is alsodecreased. The swimming assistance apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7 isdepressed from the upper side to the lower side of the body 10 and a cutpart is formed at the upper side of the fitting hole 20.

In relation with a first modification of the fifth embodiment, FIG. 8 isa perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according to afirst modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Theswimming assistance apparatus according to the first modification of thefifth embodiment of the present invention may include a depressed part50 which is depressed from the upper side to the lower side of the body10 and the cut parts 30 which are respectively formed at right and leftsides of fitting holes 20. According to the first modification of thefifth embodiment of the present invention, the swimming assistanceapparatus can obtain an effect by the depressed part 50 and effectscreated by the cut parts 30 formed at the right and left sides of thefitting holes 20.

In relation with a second modification of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a swimming assistanceapparatus according to the second modification of the fifth embodimentof the present invention. The swimming assistance apparatus according tothe second modification of the fifth embodiment of the present inventionmay include depressed parts 50 which is depressed from the upper andlower sides of the body 10 toward the inside of the body 10 and cutparts 30 which are respectively formed at right and left sides offitting holes 20. According to the second modification of the fifthembodiment of the present invention, the swimming assistance apparatuscan carry out as a pull buoy for swimming training which is called a‘peanut’ or a ‘peanut helper’.

In a case that the user wants to train the upper body or correct theswimming posture, the swimming assistance apparatus according to thesecond modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention isfit between the knees or the thighs and inwardly presses the user'slower body to serve as the pull buoy.

In a case that the user wants to do aquarobics, the swimming assistanceapparatus according to the second modification of the fifth embodimentof the present invention serves as the pull buoy when the user insertthe ankles into the depressed parts 50 to press the user's lower body,when the user uses the swimming assistance apparatus while grasping thedepressed parts 50 with both hands, or when the user fits the swimmingassistance apparatus under the user's arm in such a manner that theuser's upper arms and the sides of the chest are inserted into thedepressed parts 50. The user can selectively use the general function ofthe swimming assistance apparatus and the pull buoy function accordingto the second modification of the fifth embodiment as described above.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are side views and a plan view showing used states of theswimming assistance apparatus according to the second modification ofthe fifth embodiment of the present invention. The swimming assistanceapparatus according to the second modification of the fifth embodimentof the present invention can be used in the first used state illustratedin FIG. 10 or in the second used state illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

In the first used state of the second modification of the fifthembodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, like the first embodiment, the userwears the swimming assistance apparatus by inserting the user's legsinto the fitting holes through the cut parts formed at the sides of thebody 10 of the swimming assistance apparatus. By the swimming assistanceapparatus according to the second modification of the fifth embodiment,the user's legs are collected and fixed.

In the second used state of the second modification of the fifthembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the user wears the swimmingassistance apparatus according to the second modification of the fifthembodiment between the knees and the thighs by fitting the knees orthighs on the depressed parts 50, and strongly presses the swimmingassistance apparatus toward the inside of the user's lower body.

Embodiment 6

In relation with the sixth embodiment, FIG. 13 is a perspective view ofa swimming assistance apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the swimming assistanceapparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention mayinclude wings 62 disposed at right and left sides of the body 10. Thewings 62 are formed in a shape of a plate which becomes graduallynarrowed in width when they become further from the body 10. The wings62 may have a streamlined shape, namely, an oval cross section, toreduce underwater resistance in front of the swimming assistanceapparatus. The wings 62 are formed outside the body 10 in the lateraldirection, and the longitudinal direction of the body 10 and the planeof the wing are generally parallel.

The swimming assistance apparatus having the wings 62 according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention may be a form that two fittingholes 20 are formed in the board, which is one of the conventionalswimming assistance apparatuses. The swimming assistance apparatushaving the wings 62 is increased in volume occupying underwater andincreases buoyancy by the wings 62. Moreover, the swimming assistanceapparatus having the wings 62 increases power to overcome surfacetension of the surface of the water because a contact area between theswimming assistance apparatus and the surface of water is widened. Thatis, because underwater resistance is increased vertically, the user'slegs float well on water. Finally, the wings 62 have an effect toprovide the swimming beginners with more buoyancy. Furthermore, thewings 62 prevent the swimming assistance apparatus from rotating aroundthe progress direction under water.

Embodiment 7

In relation with the seventh embodiment of the present invention, FIG.14 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14,the swimming assistance apparatus according to the seventh embodiment ofthe present invention may include fins 60 which are formed in a shape ofa plate which becomes gradually narrowed in width when they becomefurther from the body 10. The fins 60 may have a streamlined shape,namely, an oval cross section, to reduce underwater resistance in frontof the swimming assistance apparatus. The fins 60 are formed outside thebody 10 in the vertical direction of the body 10, and the longitudinaldirection of the body 10 and the normal line direction of the plane ofthe fin 60 are generally parallel.

The swimming assistance apparatus having the fins 60 according to theseventh embodiment of the present invention enhances the user'spropulsive force because the fins 60 push out water when the user swimswhile moving the waist from side to side. Finally, when the user usesthe swimming assistance apparatus having the fins 60, it increasesexercise effect. Additionally, the fins 60 serve to keep the balance ofthe swimming assistance apparatus so as to prevent the swimmingassistance apparatus from rotating around the progress direction underwater.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a modification of the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 15, the swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the modification of the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention may include a fin 60 which is formed at one side of the upperand lower sides of the body 10.

Embodiment 8

In relation with the eighth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe eighth embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 17 is aperspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according to amodification of the eighth embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIGS. 16 and 17, the swimming assistance apparatus according to theeighth embodiment of the present invention may include a protrusion part70 which protrudes inwardly from at least a part of the inner face ofthe fitting hole 20. The protrusion part 70 may be in a straight lineform as shown in FIG. 16 or in a semi-spherical form as shown in FIG. 17showing the modification of the eighth embodiment. Additionally, theprotrusion part 70 may has a spiral shape like a screw thread in orderto increase grounding power with the user's legs in the back and forthdirection of the swimming assistance apparatus.

According to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, theswimming assistance apparatus having the protrusion part 70 reinforcesgrounding power between the inside of the fitting holes 20 and theuser's legs.

Embodiment 9

In relation with the ninth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe ninth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of thepresent invention may include a through hole 80 which is formed in themiddle of the body 10 and penetrates through the swimming assistanceapparatus in the back and forth direction. The cross section form of thethrough hole 80 may be one of a circle, a polygon, an oval and so on.Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, a wall of uniform thickness is formed onthe outside of the fitting holes 20, and the through hole 80 may have arectangular cross section of which the middle part is concave to securethe maximum cross section area of the hole.

According to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the swimmingassistance apparatus having the through hole 80 can reduce underwaterresistance and manufacturing costs.

Embodiment 10

In relation with the tenth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe tenth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, theswimming assistance apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of thepresent invention may include a fin 60 which is vertically formed atright angles to the body 10 and formed outside the central portion ofthe body 10 and a plurality of hand-grips 90 of a hole form whichpenetrate the fin 60 in the width direction. One to five hand-grips 90may be formed in such a manner that the user can insert each finger intoeach hand-grip or the plural fingers into one hand-grip. According to amodification of the tenth embodiment of the present invention, thehand-grip 90 may be formed in the body 10 or in one side of the wing 62.According to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the swimmingassistance apparatus having the hand-grip 90 enables the user to easilygrasp the swimming assistance apparatus.

Embodiment 11

In relation with the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, FIG.20 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe eleventh embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is aperspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according to a firstmodification of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 22 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a second modification of the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22, the swimmingassistance apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention may be formed in a hollow tube type and include partitionwalls 100 formed inside the body 10 to increase the general strength ofthe swimming assistance apparatus. The partition walls 100 may be in aflat form as shown in FIG. 20, in a crisscross form as shown in FIG. 21,or in a honeycomb form as shown in FIG. 22.

The swimming assistance apparatus having the partition walls 100according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention reducesmanufacturing costs and reinforces buoyancy because the inside of theswimming assistance apparatus is generally hollow.

Furthermore, swimming assistance apparatus having the partition walls100 of the crisscross form as shown in FIG. 21 prevents distortion ofthe swimming assistance apparatus because it increases strength of theswimming assistance apparatus in all directions. In addition, swimmingassistance apparatus having the partition walls 100 of the honeycombform as shown in FIG. 22 increases strength of the swimming assistanceapparatus the most.

Embodiment 12

In relation with the twelfth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.23 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according tothe twelfth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24 is aperspective view of a swimming assistance apparatus according to a firstmodification of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 25 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to a second modification of the twelfth embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIGS. 23, 24 and 25, the swimmingassistance apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention may include separation preventing means to close at least apart of the cut part 30 according to the user's selection. Theseparation preventing means may be a hook and loop fasteners 110 asshown in FIG. 23, may be male and female coupling means, such as abutton 112 as shown in FIG. 24, or may be a zipper 114 as shown in FIG.25. In the first modification of the twelfth embodiment illustrated inFIG. 24, as detachable fixing means of the separation preventing means,a magnet may be used.

The magnet makes use of the separation preventing means easy.

The swimming assistance apparatus having the separation preventing meansaccording to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention can have aneffect to fix the swimming assistance apparatus to the user's legsaccording to the user's selection. The swimming assistance apparatushaving the separation preventing means can be used usefully to thepersons who have disability in the lower body, such as paraplegia,because it prevents the user's legs from being separated from thefitting holes 20.

Embodiment 13

In relation with the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 26, the swimming assistance apparatus according to thethirteenth embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a hollowtube type and include an air injection hole 45 for injecting air intothe swimming assistance apparatus. In order to minimize underwaterfriction, the air injection hole 45 is formed on the front face of thebody 10. The swimming assistance apparatus according to the thirteenthembodiment of the present invention can compress the swimming assistanceapparatus to the minimum volume to be stored and carried easily bydischarging the air, which fills the inside the swimming assistanceapparatus, out of the air injection hole 45.

Embodiment 14

In relation with the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 27, the swimming assistance apparatus according to thefourteenth embodiment of the present invention may include the fittingholes 20 having outer walls which are dislocated at the cut parts 30.The swimming assistance apparatus having the outer walls of the fittingholes 20 which are dislocated at the cut parts 30 makes the user easilyinsert the legs into the fitting holes 20 and makes the swimmingassistance apparatus be fixed to the user's legs more stably.Preferably, the dislocated size of the outer walls of the fitting holes20 at the cutting parts 30 is 0.5 cm to 3 cm, and more preferably, is 1cm. If the dislocated size of the outer walls of the fitting holes 20 atthe cutting parts 30 becomes larger, the swimming assistance apparatusis fixed to the user's legs more stably. However, if the dislocated sizeof the outer walls of the fitting holes 20 at the cutting parts 30becomes smaller, the user's legs are inserted into the fitting holes 20more easily.

Used States of Swimming Assistance Apparatus

In relation with used states of the swimming assistance apparatus, FIGS.28 and 29 are a side view and a plan view showing a used state of theswimming assistance apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the swimming assistanceapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is wornto the user's legs when the user inserts the user's legs into thefitting holes through the cut parts of the sides of the body 10 of theswimming assistance apparatus. By the swimming assistance apparatus, theuser's legs are gathered and fixed. The user can wear the swimmingassistance apparatus onto the calves, knees or thighs, and morepreferably, onto the ankles. Moreover, the swimming assistance apparatushaving the fins 60 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 can be used.

The user can train various swimming styles while moving the waist fromside to side or swinging the arms in the state where the user's legs arefixed using the swimming assistance apparatus. The user's lower bodyfloats on water by buoyancy of the swimming assistance apparatus.Therefore, the user can perform various swimming styles without takingcare about the lower body. The user can move forward in a good swimmingstyle while moving the waist from side to side like a fish which swimsusing the caudal fin. Therefore, the user can reinforce upper bodymuscles and waist muscles and correct the user's twisted pelvises.

Because the user can swim while moving only the upper body using theswimming assistance apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention without whip kick, the persons who have disability in thelower body, children or the aged who are weak in strength of the lowerbody can swim using the swimming assistance apparatus.

Especially, the persons who have disability in the lower body can usethe swimming assistance apparatus for medical purposes, such as painrelief or treatment. The persons who have disability in the lower body,such as paraplegia, cannot swim while doing whip kick or moving thewaist up and down, and they go under water with the legs drifted openwhen they enter the water. Therefore, when the persons who havedisability in the lower body uses the swimming assistance apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, it can help intreating pains because a physical therapist can keep eye contact withthe patients and communion between the physical therapist and thepatients is increased.

As described above, while the present invention has been particularlyshown and described with reference to the example embodiments thereof,it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that thepresent invention can be executed in other forms without changing thetechnical idea or essential features of the present invention.Therefore, it would be understood that the embodiments disclosed in thepresent invention are all exemplified and are not limited to thespecific embodiments of the present invention. It should be alsounderstood that the protective scope of the present invention isinterpreted by the following claims and all changes and modificationsderived from the meaning, scope and equivalent concept of the claimsbelong to the technical scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimming assistance apparatus comprising: abody part made of a floatable material or having a hollow tube whichfloats on water; a fitting hole having a hollow cylinder shape anddefined through the body part to surround a first part of a user's lowerbody; a cut part defined on at least one side of a wall of the fittinghole and having a slot receiving the first part of the user's lower bodyinto the fitting hole; and a depressed part defined on upper and lowersides of the body part, wherein: the fitting hole comprises a firstfitting hole and a second fitting hole and the user can insert the rightand left legs into the first and second fitting holes respectively, thedepressed part defined between the first fitting hole and the secondfitting hole of the body part, having a predetermined depth such that asecond part of the user's lower body is pressed toward or fixed on thedepressed part, the second part comprising at least a portion of ankles,calves, knees, thighs, or parts between the ankles and thighs, and whenthe user swims with the swimming assistance apparatus and when the firstpart of the user's lower body is inserted into the fitting hole, theuser's lower body floats on water by buoyancy of the body part andunderwater resistance is decreased by the depressed part.
 2. Theswimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedepressed part is extended in a longitudinal direction of the fittinghole.
 3. The swimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the cut part is defined in the outer wall of the fitting hole inthe longitudinal direction of the fitting hole to enable the user toeasily insert the user's lower body.
 4. The swimming assistanceapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of an areabetween the cut part and the depressed part has an arc shape incross-section.
 5. The swimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein: the depressed part is extended in a longitudinal directionof the fitting hole, and at least a part of an area between the cut partand the depressed part has an arc shape in cross-section.
 6. Theswimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of protrusion parts which are disposed on an inner face ofthe fitting hole in a diameter direction.
 7. The swimming assistanceapparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality ofprotrusion parts disposed on an inner face of the fitting hole in adiameter direction and are protruded in a spherical shape.
 8. Theswimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of protrusion parts disposed on an inner face of the fittinghole in a diameter direction and are formed in a spiral shape.
 9. Theswimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a partition wall defined inside the body part maintaining a structure ofthe body and resisting a distortion of the body part.
 10. The swimmingassistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of partition walls defined inside the body part maintaining astructure of the body and resisting a distortion of the body part,wherein the plurality of partition walls cross each other.
 11. Theswimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of partition walls defined inside the body part maintaininga structure of the body and resisting a distortion of the body part,wherein the plurality of partition walls are connected with one anotherin a honey comb shape.
 12. The swimming assistance apparatus as claimedin claim 1, further comprising: at least one through hole formed at thebody part.
 13. The swimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1,further comprising: a through hole penetrating through the body part anddisposed between the first fitting hole and the second fitting holewherein all of the first fitting hole, the second fitting hole and thethough hole are extended in a longitudinal direction.
 14. The swimmingassistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at leastone hand-grip having a concave portion in one side of the body part orhaving a penetration-hole in the body part, such that the user caninsert at least one finger into the hand-grip to grasp the body part.15. The swimming assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one fin vertically protruded from at least one ofan upper side and a lower side of the body part and extended along witha center line either of the upper side or the lower side of the bodypart in a longitudinal direction.
 16. The swimming assistance apparatusas claimed in claim 15, wherein the fin has a predetermined curvature atthe front face, which is the user's advancing direction, in order toreduce underwater resistance.
 17. The swimming assistance apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein: the swimming assistance apparatus is formedin a hollow tube type, and the swimming assistance apparatus furthercomprises an air injection hole for injecting air into the swimmingassistance apparatus.